We all want to live in a safe place, but as a landlord, you are also responsible for maintaining the safety of someone else's home. You also have an obligation to protect your business's valuable assets. You have a legal responsibility to take reasonable precautions to keep your tenants' homes secure because a break-in is upsetting for everyone involved, especially in the case of furnished dwellings. Although it's unsettling to think about, burglaries do happen to people, and ignoring security concerns won't make things better. In order to improve the safety of your rental, you don't have to break the bank, and there are many options available.
 
Secure the door
What is the most important thing you provide to ensure the security of your tenants? If the exterior doors of your building are not secured, burglars and other unwanted guests will have easy access to your tenants and their belongings. Make sure the door locks are working, and the doors are closing properly.
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Deadbolts are a more robust security measure than a doorknob lock alone. It could be a good idea to place a peephole in the door, so your tenants can see who is knocking.

Keep the windows secure
Rental homes may have multiple entry points, including windows. If the windows aren't locked, burglars might easily break into the apartment, especially if it's on the ground floor or second floor.

Make sure that all of the locks on your windows are fully operational and in good condition. Add window bars for your tenants' peace of mind. It's possible that some people will turn down your offer just because of how they look.

Set up smart locks
Smart locks require tenants to enter a PIN to enter their homes. Some people want a key fob in addition to the code for further security. These smart door locks are useful for evicting tenants when their lease is up. To prevent the previous tenants from entering, update the code.

If you frequently lose your keys as a renter, this is a great solution. They need only learn the code once to never be shut out again. You'll also benefit from this excellent news because you won't need to employ a locksmith or grant them entry to your property.
 
Add to or improve the lighting
Having adequate lighting is a simple way to improve the safety of your rental. Safer pathways and more aesthetic outdoor areas are two benefits you can reap from installing automatic lighting. Having a safe rental will usually retain your tenants longer. Look around the rental property after dark to see if there are any areas that could benefit from extra light. Make sure there is sufficient lighting around your home to see everything on the property, even if your tenants don't turn on their outdoor lights. Pathway lighting will ensure the safety of residents walking to and from their homes after dark, and floodlights are an excellent option for lighting the sides of a structure. Think about installing solar panels to cut down on your monthly energy bills.
 
Set up surveillance cameras
Formerly prohibitively expensive security camera installations are now more affordable for homeowners, giving you and your tenants more peace of mind. Tenants are prohibited from installing security cameras inside their unit, although they can be used to monitor the front door, stairwells, and back of the building. Because of this, cameras are effective even when they are not actively recording.

Establish a safety system
A security system is an expensive investment, but it will help you feel protected in your own home. You can find a security system that fits your needs and budget since there are several options to choose from. You also have the option of choosing a home security company. As there are many of them to choose from, you should find an adequate solution to your problems and needs. Door and window sensors, smoke detectors, and motion-detecting lights are all essential components of a comprehensive security system, so keep those in mind while you shop.

DIY security devices are convenient since you can easily set them up and access them from afar. As long as you're connected to the device, probably through an app on your smartphone, you'll be able to use it.  Monitoring costs are usually not too high on a monthly basis, although some tenants may be willing to pay more for peace of mind.
 
Make exit points accessible
One easy way to deter unwanted visitors is to maintain a spotless entrance and exit to your rental home. Trim massive bushes, so they don't block the view of your house from the street. If you're worried about potential criminal activity, you might want to install surveillance cameras at the entrances and exits of your property. By keeping all exits and entryways unobstructed, we ensured that first responders could get to the scene quickly and residents could get out safely.
 
Employ the services of a property manager
Hiring a property manager can give you peace of mind whether your building is empty or occupied because they will be responsible for the building's upkeep and security while you are away. Experts at consumeroponion.org suggest that you look for different providers and services online. A property manager can help with issues like maintenance, problem-solving, and security if you are unable to be physically present at the rental property.

If you want to make sure your rental property is in good shape and improve the safety of your rental, you can ask the property manager to do random inspections on the tenants. They might even show up when the place is deserted to send a message to would-be burglars that someone is keeping an eye on things and using the space.
 
At the end of a lease, collect all keys
Never allow your renters to leave with the keys to your rental property after they have moved out. While your renters may have been reliable and pleasant, you never want extra keys lying around.

You never know where the keys will wind up. When your renters leave, meet with them to inspect the unit and hand over the keys. It may take a few hours out of your day, but it will significantly improve the safety of your rental.
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Keep rent increases consistent and fair
As a landlord, one of the priorities for your rentals is to bring in profit. As such, it’s understandable that, over time, you’ll increase the rent rates to stay profitable. However, prices rising suddenly and by too much can scare off a lot of tenants. Try to keep the increases smaller and introduce them over more extended time periods. Additionally, do market research and justify your reasons for increasing the rent. A good rule of thumb is to keep the rates lower than market rates and implement them slowly. Additionally, experts from Peasley Transfer & Storage advise that, if you do have to turn over a tenant, there are benefits to having a storage unit on standby. A bit of extra space never hurts.

Give incentives for lease renewals
One of the most important ways to raise your tenant retention rate is to give incentives for lease renewals. After all, your tenants renewing their lease means they will stay on your property, which should be a priority. The most effective incentive is, of course, a discount on the rent. However, this isn’t always an option, and you must get creative. For example, you can consider partnering with companies to offer your tenants deals and other similar things. Remember, you need to keep your tenants interested, so whatever offer you make, you need to make sure it’s something they’ll consider.

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Provide quality customer service
No matter how you look at it, customer service is essential for all businesses, and rentals are the same. If your tenants feel heard and valued, they will likely stay on your properties. This starts as early as their move-in date. You must provide all the information your tenant needs to move into the property. From there on, make sure to listen to their requests and worries and reply promptly. If any sort of issue arises, answer them as quickly as possible and see that they’re solved just as quickly. And when dealing with problems or general maintenance, keep your tenants updated on the progress. Remember, everyone likes being heard and valued, and it goes a long way for your tenant retention rate.

Be professional but also personable
Every landlord has measures and punishments for damage to the property, missed payments, and other issues. It makes sense, as they need to enforce the lease rules to stay in business. However, remember also to be understanding with your tenants. For example, if your best tenant happens to miss a payment, try to check in with them. See what the problem is and try to find a solution instead of immediately resorting to punishments.

7 ways to raise your tenant retention rate – wrap up
Landlords need to ensure their tenants stay on their properties to avoid losing profit. Thankfully, there are quite a few easy ways to increase retention rates if you’re willing to put in a little effort. We hope that this list of 7 ways to raise your tenant retention rate helps you out.

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6. Use a catch basin

Some properties can have issues with water gathering around the base. A good solution, in this case, is to install a catch basin, which will ensure no water gathers around the home's base. A catch basin will effectively redirect the water from the basement and foundation, thus preventing structural damage.

7. Install a sump pump

An excellent way to make sure there's no water building up in your basement is to use a sump pump. Essentially, any water which might otherwise gather in the basement will drain into the sump pit, which you can later pump out a distance away from the house. However, keep in mind that sump pumps must also be maintained regularly to work properly.

Closing thoughts

Water damage is one of the common issues in properties all across the US. However, avoiding this kind of damage is very important for rental properties, as the damage can seriously lower the property's value and the landlord's investment. So, it's imperative to do your best to prevent it both as a tenant and a manager. Fortunately, most ways to do this are straightforward, only needing regular checks to ensure problems don't become serious or stop them outright. We hope this list of 7 tips for preventing water damage in your rental home helps you avoid water damage, and we wish you a great rest of your day.

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These tips on how to save water at your rental property will reduce impact on the environment, and reduce your bills.

Whether you’re renting a home or an office, one thing is for sure – you want to save money on bills. Paying attention to how you spend water at your rental will save you money and protect the environment. So, what are the ways to do something good for the planet and reduce your water usage? Well, here are the main 6 ways to save water at your rental property and be a good citizen of our planet.

Reasons to seriously consider saving water from now on
Not all people understand the importance of paying attention to how much water their household spends daily. Here are the reasons to start spending water more conscientiously:
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• Water supplies are limited – only 2.5% of all the water on our planet is freshwater, and only 0.3% of that is accessible to us. Those are very limited supplies we’re running out of! 
• We save energy by saving water – spending less water for showering and cleaning means spending less energy to preheat that water;
• Limited water supplies would mean limited food supplies – plants need water to grow so water limitations would result in food shortages;
• Protecting the animals – we’re not the only species that need water; animals need it, too. Wasting water on a daily basis means taking away precious water from the animals and whole ecosystems;
• Finally, saving water at your rental property will reduce the water bills, which can lead to significant savings at the end of the year.

4. Turn off the tap when not needed 
Several daily tasks in your bathroom can waste so much water. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, washing hands, and taking a shower. It would help if you brushed your teeth for a couple of minutes. There’s no need for water to be running the whole time. Use the tap wisely and use it only when you need to rinse the products of your body. It’s a simple habit that can truly make a difference to the water bill. 

5. Save when doing dishes
One of the best ways to save water at your rental property is to run full cycles in the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers are environmentally friendly and spend less water than you would need to hand-wash the same amount of dishes. Make sure you fill the dishwasher and do full cycles each time. However, not all rentals have a dishwasher to create more space when organizing a small kitchen. In this case, you’ll have to be more practical with hand washing. Carefully scrape food leftovers, fill the sink, wash the dishes altogether and then rinse them. Avoid washing the dishes one by one while the tap is constantly running. This method wastes so much water!

6. Cool water in your fridge 
If you drink tap water, the chances are you left the water running until it cools down a bit before pouring it into the glass. Water gets warmer in the pipes, so some people need to cool it down before drinking it – but that’s a huge waste of water. In the summer months, the amount of water waste this way can really add up. Instead, you can pour it directly into a jug and place it in a fridge to cool down. This way, you’ll always have cold water at your disposal without making a huge waste. 

Final words
Being environmentally conscious is about implementing small habits to create a lifestyle. As you can see, these simple ways to save water at your rental property are not difficult to do, so you can start practicing them even today and do something good for our planet. 

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Suppose you've decided that this is the year to achieve your business dreams from your home because you realize all the benefits that come with doing what you do best as and when you see fit. But there's one glaringly obvious problem - your current home is too small. Here's how to make the necessary changes, so you can accommodate both. 

If you're looking for a new home in the Reno/Sparks area, visit our Reno Property Management website. 

Check if it is allowed
Before you even decide on a home where you can run your business, you'll first have to check if it is allowed. This would entail checking the rules of business zoning in your area to see if you can operate your business from your home premises. Furthermore, you may have to apply for a special license or permit depending on the type of industry you're in. So best to have these all checked out before you even resume operations so that you don't end up entangled in all sorts of red tape before you even begin. 

Check your budget
Your budget will also have to be tailored to take into account your move, what with all the extra expenses that will be involved in moving your business and its belongings over with you. For example, you may need to take out extra insurance depending on the coverage provided by your moving company if the coverage they do provide is insufficient. Also, your budget is going to have to cover all the extra expenses associated with moving and if you're moving to a new state then the additional cost of living expenses will need to be taken into account too. 

Finding a property that will meet all your requirements
Finding a property that is going to meet all your requirements is going to be something else to think about too. After all, it's going to have to be big enough to cater to both your business and your family. Furthermore, it may have to have additional rooms for a home office, for example, and it may also need to have ample parking space or access to ample parking space if you are going to have clients visiting every now and again. 

Make sure you have all the basics covered 
If you are planning on going full steam ahead with your business operations as soon as you're settled in, then you'll want to make sure you have all the basics covered as far as equipment and furniture goes. When thinking of choosing the right furniture for your home office, you should combine practicality with style to ensure that you are as productive as possible in your home office. 

Then, you'll want to think about investing in the necessary software to run your business smoothly. You will require an easy to use bookkeeping system to ensure your accounting efforts are up-to-date at all times. Here, we're referring to accounting software that allows you to store and organize your receipts adequately so that you can benefit from tax savings down the line whilst adhering to the applicable tax legislation. It should also provide you with the tools to manage your cash flow better so that you stay on top of incoming and outgoing expenses.

These are just a few of the major deliberations that need to be had before you think about up and moving everything somewhere new. But it's vital that you do to ensure you have the wherewithal to not only cope but thrive during this new transition. 
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Learn about the questions to ask when viewing a rental property so you can ensure that you rent the best possible home for you and your family!

Finding a home is a tiring and challenging task. Even if you rent a property, it is still a place where you will spend a part of your life. So, naturally, you want it to be perfect for your wants and needs. To help you find one such place, here are some questions to ask when viewing a rental property.

How and when should I pay rent?
Different landlords have different preferences when it comes to paying rent. This is why one of the most important questions to ask a prospective landlord is how they expect you to pay and when. After all, it makes a difference. If your landlord expects the rent on the fifth of every month, it will affect how you budget your money until the end of the month. If you need to pay your rent around the thirtieth, when you typically have the least amount of cash on hand, you have to plan before it. Similarly, some landlords like to get cash in person and might visit or require you to visit them. While some prefer you transfer the money to them online.

Can I expect the rent to change?
​Asking whether the rent will change in the future is essential, especially if you plan to live somewhere long-term. Living in a 'perfect' apartment for a couple of months only to have your rent nearly double all of a sudden is the worst. If you can't afford the new price, you might need to move out in a hurry. This is why a wise sub-question is: Will you inform me at least a month or two of your decision before you change the rent? 

How much are the utilities?
Sometimes, you come across a place for rent that seems like it’s come straight out of your dreams. The property is beautiful, the rooms amazingly organized, and the furniture and appliances in top condition. Even the rent might be low! You rent it out quickly and live your life in bliss for a month. And then you get hit by the sky-high utility bills. Another intelligent question in the same vein is whether there are any outstanding utility debts because they can either land on your head or increase the cost of your utilities.

Will you help with any repairs?
Knowing who is responsible for what is critical when trying to find your ideal rental. If an appliance breaks down, can you count on your landlord to replace it? What about if a leak suddenly pops up in your bathroom? Or if there is a problem with the roof? If you do not clarify such things beforehand, you might have to spend a lot more money than you originally planned to.

Can I freely decorate?
​Everyone wants to feel at home in the place they're renting, and there are many things to do after moving that can help them feel that way, from unpacking and cleaning to decorating. It's important to focus on these steps and make your rental feel like home, but be careful with decorating. Some landlords do not like it when you make too many changes. So, make sure to clarify how far you can go.

Do you allow pets?
Do not assume that just because your landlord hasn't explicitly told you that you couldn't keep a pet, you can do it. The subject might not even come up unless you bring a pet to viewing. And if you get a pet or already own one, you may be in trouble if you haven't discussed it with your landlord. If you want to find the best possible rental property for you, one of the most important questions to ask when viewing a rental property is whether or not pets are allowed.

How often will you visit?
Some landlords like to make sure their property is well looked after. Some, however, take this too far and pop in to check on you every other week. If this is something that would make you uncomfortable, then you need to check with your potential landlord and figure out how often they are planning to make visits.

Have you had infestations before?
Among questions to ask when viewing a rental property, asking about previous infestations in a rental is often overlooked. This is a mistake, especially if you are looking for an apartment. Just because you've called in exterminators in apartment buildings doesn't mean your neighbors have. And if they have declined to do it, the infestation will repeat itself frequently. Not to mention that taking care of an infestation might require you to move out and take your things with you temporarily. Disassembling furniture when moving to make it easier to transport is a hassle. Let alone finding a temporary place to stay. So, it may be best to pass up on such apartments.

How new are the appliances?
You might think it's not polite to ask about the age of appliances in a furnished apartment viewing. However, this is a crucial question if your landlord has made it clear that you will need to take care of replacements or repairs. Even if the landlord pays, it will still be a pain if things break down often.

Have neighbors caused problems before?
If there is one thing that can make life a living hell, it's terrible neighbors. One of the important questions to ask when viewing a rental property is whether there have been problems with the neighbors in the past. If the landlord admits to having had problems, or if they get dodgy with their answers, pass up the property. Of course, the landlord, not living on the property themselves, might not know enough to comment on this. So, one of the things to remember when moving out of your rental apartment, if you want to be extra nice, is to leave your contact info so prospective tenants can consult you about your experiences.

Final advice
​Now that you are familiar with the questions to ask when viewing a rental property, the only thing left is to be patient. Never rush into renting a place because it seems nice or because it’s cheap. Sometimes, paying a little more is worth it in the long run. And even the prettiest of rentals might be hiding serious problems.

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